Julie’s March Media Round-up

A few new DVDs and CDs to share with you today:
Releasing today, Scholastic Treasury of 50 Storybook Classics: Preschool Stories is a DVD set certain to entertain. The next time one of the kids wants to watch a movie; the other, read a favorite book, I can simply say “yes” with no worries of unfairness. Featuring animations of 50 favorites old and new, like Harold and the Purple Crayon, Goodnight Gorilla, Giraffes Can’t Dance and Corduroy.
There are a lot of things I love doing with my kids, and two of them are learning and exercising. With Exploracise Gymathics, kids exercise while learning math. Start off with a shape-friendly warm-up, then do your exercises while counting, learn patterns while doing combo exercises and finish off with a cool down that opens minds and bodies. Suggested for grades 2-5, but I know a 5 year old and a 35 year old who had a great time with this one.
I love the soft sounds that Rockabye Baby create with from popular music of today and the past. Their latest, More Lullabye Renditions of the Beatles doesn’t disappoint. In fact, it may be my new fave. Now available at Wholefoods, you can also get it online and at Rockabye Baby’s website.
I drove carpool on Friday and the 3-year-olds couldn’t get enough of their new favorite Pirate music. “Real” pirates sing about their times on ship and hunting for treasure on Captain Bogg & Salty’s Port O’Call: Emphatical Piratical. A must-have for any pirate lover and especially for a pirate party.
Kathy and Janet Lennon of the famed band, The Lennon Sisters, now sing kiddie. For fun, familiar songs and a few originals, check out Best Pals Sing Together where they are joined by Janet’s grandchildren. Its a fun, happy sing-a-long.
Like Rockabye Baby (above), Hushabye Baby takes modern and oldie music and lullabies it. Hushabye Baby focuses on country music. Recently released compilations include Renditions of Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill and Patsy Cline. I’m a big fan of the Willie Nelson CD.
Join the party with Viva Pinata: The Pinatas Must be Crazy and Other Stories. Included on this DVD are 10 episodes of the popular Saturday morning cartoon series (no longer on the air, you can’t TIVO this, you’ll have to buy it) featuring animated Pinatas who play all day, filling their Pinatas with cndy. Hop on over to Pinata Island for a festive celebration. (Here’s something I didn’t know, Viva Pinata is also available for Xbox 360, the computer and DS.)
Kids will enjoy 13 episodes of Pucca and her friends as they battle the bad guys using magic, martial arts and a little Kung Fu. Lots of fun for the early-elementary age kids to be found with Pucca’s Sooga Super Squad.